In recognition of her advocacy for migrants and humanitarian work along the U.S.-Mexico border, Pimentel has received the Catholic Charities USA Martin Luther King Jr. “Keep the Dream Alive” Award, Rio Grande Valley’s “Citizen of the Year,” TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020 and is the recipient of the University of Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, which is among the highest honors for an American Catholic.

Pimentel has testified before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights on the “State of Civil Rights in Immigration Detention Facilities” and spoke on “Women Upholding Human Dignity” at the United Nations.

Pimentel graduated from then The University of Texas-Pan American with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She received her Master of Arts in Theology from St. Mary’s.

“Called by many Pope Francis’ favorite nun because of his recognition in 2015 of Sister Pimentel’s loving protection of migrants at the Border, Sister Pimentel has served since 2004 as Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley,” said St. Mary’s University President Thomas M. Mengler, J.D. “I am privileged to honor Sister Pimentel in celebration of her outstanding career of serving the most vulnerable among us — as she has done for many years — with respect and care, compassion and love.”